What can I say,  I like the alarmist style of journalism. Needless to say, you shouldn't stop reading at the headline, as we have some important information to pass on to you.

 Ladies and Gentlemen!

The Milwaukee Westside Harlequins are pleased to announce that you are cordially invited celebrate 35 great years of Harlequin Rugby.  Save the date of September 25th as it will see our Division 3 squad take on Fox Cities RFC (kickoff 12pm) and our Division 1 squad take on Metropolis RFC (kickoff 2pm) talking place at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex at 60th and Ryan road. The family friendly celebration will be held just down the street at Croatian Park located at 76th and Ryan road in Franklin Wisconsin following the games (approximately 430pm). 

The cost to you? Free. We realize in the current economic times, things might be a little tight, and we're looking to gather as many Harlequins past, present, and future to celebrate this event. We will be asking for donations in lieu of a formal cover charage, and addtional raffles and events will be held to defray costs.

Founded in 1975 as Derry's Rugby Club the Milwaukee Westside Harlequins have been a force on the Midwest rugby scene.  It is time once again to get together and celebrate 35 great years of rugby!  This year it will take the form of a family picnic trying to bring back the spirit of the old Harlequin Corn Roast. I would like to encourage all ruggers who previously played to come out and enjoy an afternoon of rugby followed by a great meal and good times.  It would not be possible for the club to have today's success had it not been for all those ruggers who strapped on the boots and had a run over the last 35 years.  So please, call your old mates and come on out to enjoy some rugby hospitality.  Dinner is being catered by American European Foods and they are providing Chicken, Sausage, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, and dessert!  We are looking to have games and activities for children so we encourage you to bring your family and friends. There is also one more surprise!

The Milwaukee Westside Harlequins are pleased to announce the 35th Annual Celebration will also see the induction of two new members to the Harlequin Hall of Fame!  Our inductees this year will be David Brienzo and Jeff Friedrich.  On the field David played a brilliant scrumhalf in the late 70's was a Midwest player. Off the field he and his wife Patty were the lifeblood of the club.  Jeff, who also played a pretty mean scrumhalf in the mid 80's, was also a select side player. His play in the Midwest Junior Cup is still talked about today.  These men have demonstrated great play on and off the field as Milwaukee Westside Harlequins. We are honored to induct them into the Harlequin Hall of Fame.  They will be joining the likes of Daniel Brienzo, Joe Kloiber, Joe McCook, and Tim McNulty.

Rugby Kickoff: 12pm at Milwaukee County Sports Complex 60th and Ryan Rd
35th Annual Celebration: 430pm at Croatian Park 76th and Ryan Rd

Questions please contact John Paul Kloiber
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414-477-5114

In addition, we'd like to include AS MANY people as possible. So if you are willing to assist in contacting past Harlequins, please let us know.

We at the Milwaukee Westside Harlequins Rugby Club are passionate about many things.  We enjoy good food, sharing time with good friends and we are very passionate about rugby. Our good friends at the Crispin Cider Company share these values and today we are proud to announce that they have decided to become an official sponsor.

In recent years it has been difficult to rally Wisconsin’s top men’s players to commit to the LAU event but the 2010 effort was much more successful. With just three practice sessions, a team with a good balance of youth and experience shared the training resources of the Milwaukee Harlequins. The players were able to quickly identify each others talents and their strengths as a team.

Naah, I'm just kidding. Joe O'Brien has registered the Harlequins as a team to particpate in the Irish Fest 5K run walk.The proceeds raised will benefit arthritis, a worthy cause in itself. The cost will be $25 per registrant (runner\walker for those without a dictionary). 

The event is on August 21st, and everyone who plans to attend should be there by 10am to stretch (please apply your Ben Gay off-site). The run\walk itself begins at 10:30. Please note the proceeding times are NOT based on rugby time, but Greenwich Mean Time - 6 hours (Central Time Zone, United States).

 Click on this link to register yourself.The Harlequins are playing  in Chicago that day, so if you are playing or watching that day and cannot attend, please make a pledge. Contact Joe O'Brien directly if you have any questions.

For those of you who just can't leave the last cheeseburger untouched, and feel that "7's" is just an extra can of your favorite beverage, you are in luck. Fall practice begins this Tuesday, 7/27, at Merrill Park. Coaches Mike Loader, Ray Meuer, Pat Sharpe, co-captain Ben Smith, and the cast of champion old boys who like to show up and tell stories will be on hand to direct us to a successful league season, in both D1 and D3.

 Click on this link to find directions to Merrill Park , and all the scrummaging your heart may desire. Of course, if you are fast and have ball in hand or kicking skills (I'm not really sure what they are, but co-captain Mark Fine insisted I mention them), you are also needed to hone the backfields' razor sharp edge before that first kick off on Aug 21st.

True to form, I have scheduled an away match (both sides) with the Chicago Blaze on that date, since I felt the home\away schedule was tilting just a little bit too much to the home side.

Practice runs from 6:30 to 8:00pm, which means it starts at 6:30 (unless you're one of the aforementioned long winded old boys).

Please join us in welcoming Carter James Fine into the world and the Harlequin family, and congratulating Mark and Liz. He weighed in at 7lbs even, and with measured 19.5 inches. Sounds like a perfect candidate for the 2030 Eagle pool at center!

Mom and baby are doing well, and Mark promises to be at practice soon.